Emmys 2017: Riz Ahmed Wins Lead Actor in a Limited Series for “The Night Of”

He won the award over Benedict Cumberbatch, Robert De Niro, Geoffrey Rush, John Turturro, and Ewan McGregor

Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Tonight at the 2017 Emmy Awards, Riz Ahmed took the award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie. Watch his acceptance speech below. Ahmed is the first Asian man, as well as the first Muslim, to win an Emmy award for acting. He picked up the trophy over Benedict Cumberbatch, Robert De Niro, Ewan McGregor, Geoffrey Rush, and John Turturro for his role as Nasir “Naz” Khan in “The Night Of.” Ahmed, who is also a rapper and one-half of the Swet Shop Boys, was nominated for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his role as Paul-Louis in “Girls,” as well. During his speech, he dedicated his award to the “late, great James Gandolfini.” Last year, Swet Shop Boys released their Cashmere album. In May, they shared their Sufi La EP.